Osprey was originally named Melissa Sue for the two daughters of Doctor Himmelman and her hull was painted robin egg blue. The Himmelman family sailed Melissa Sue for many years in the LaHave River where she was a familiar sight.

Andy King and his son bought the boat around 1982 and moved her to Armdale Yacht Club; it was at this time he changed the name to Osprey, although Andy also spelled the name Spray, in honour of Joshua Slocom’s boat Spray. About this time the hull was painted Atlantic blue and the Osprey insignia painted on the foresail. They had originally planned to race and cruise the boat but this was not to be as Andy's son had a change of work commitments, and Andy sailed Osprey with his wife Phyllis. According to Andy, while he owned Osprey she had limited use and spent one full year on the hard.

I bought Osprey in October 1988 on a beautiful crisp fall day. When leaving the club after the transaction I looked at the boat and there was an Osprey hovering over her. I can recognize an omen as well as anyone else. Since then Osprey and her crew have raced and cruised every summer.

In 1992 I found rot and replaced the deck, cabin and transom with the help of my crew. Osprey has been in fine shape since. When I bought her she was not a great sailor and had lee helm. With help and advice from many people I changed the ballast trim, raked both masts, and lightened the booms; I also did much work to the rigging. Bart and Fran Shea, and Gerry Hayman were instrumental in working with me to improve her sailing and spent many hours improving her (and mine) ability. She now has moderate weather helm and is a fine sailor; as most Marconis, she is good going to weather, but is at a disadvantage to gaffers when the wind is on the quarter.